Woman on trial for arson at reservation trailer park

Wednesday, January 9, 2008  

A woman is on trial for allegedly starting a fire at a trouble trailer park on the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation in southern California.

Guadalupe Deanda, 52, is charged with five counts of arson on an inhabited structure and one count of arson on a non-dwelling. Authorities say she started a fire on May 14, 2007, at the Desert Mobile Home Park.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has been trying to shut down the park, citing substandard living conditions. The public defender in the case called "Duroville," as the facility is known a "third-world California."

Duroville is owned by Harvey Duro, a tribal member. He says he is making improvements at the park. He might be called as a defense witness.

Get the Story:
Witness testifies she never saw defendant start 'Duroville' fire (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 1/9)

Relevant Links:
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians - http://www.torresmartinez.org

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